GAME To Stock 3DS & Wii U Download Codes From Today

GAME are now selling Wii U and 3DS eShop download codes in-store and online via email. Though this might initially seem to be just a little reactionary, most of these titles significantly undercut Nintendo's downloadable RRP.

According to their newly-updated website, you can order the likes of Fire Emblem Awakening and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for at least £5 less than the standard eShop price, though naturally boxed copies can be found cheaper. 21 3DS games and 6 Wii U titles are currently available. Since GAME will have much more freedom to run sales and promotions, this could be an interesting new way of getting cheaper games instantly.

Customers will be issued codes via till receipt for in-store purchases or email when bought online. Once activated, codes can be entered into the Nintendo eShop on the respective console, and the game will be downloaded. For UK customers, GAME is also offering an extra 25% trade-in value on selected game trade-ins against Nintendo eShop purchases in store.

The partnership also makes it possible for European gamers to effectively use PayPal to purchase eShop games.

Charlotte Knight, Category Director for GAME says: “We’re really excited about this partnership with Nintendo, as it makes it so much easier for gamers to access Nintendo digital content, not just in the UK but across Europe. “We're thrilled to be able to offer brand new Nintendo Wii U and 3DS releases as digital download from day one of release, and that starts today with Fire Emblem Awakening on 3DS.”

Goes to show what a rip-off most downloadable titles are, on consoles. It's bad enough they charge more than retailers charge for boxed versions - but if retailers are also able to sell e-codes cheaper, too, then Nintendo (and Sony and Microsoft) are taking the p1ss.

You've got lower production/distribution costs, and you're pretty much preventing the game being sold second hand. You should be enticing people to buy from dashboard/eshop, not discouraging them.

Credit to Sony for giving the occasional game away on ps+, mind. And some of Microsoft's sales are half-decent, too. Doesn't make up for the whole system being borked, though. Steam put them all to shame...